Superintendent Gary Cerne thanked them for their hard work and then gave his report.

First, he said homecoming week was a success. Next, he announced that signs with flashing lights will soon be posted on Brigham Road by Dunkirk Elementary School 5 in order to designate the school zone. As for upcoming events, a senior citizen prom night will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the high school on Oct. 26.

"I think it will be a lot of fun," Cerne said.

Next, a standing ovation was given to Lenore Fiebelkorn, the 40th recipient of the William R. Colman Award which is "given on a yearly basis to a deserving, certified retired teacher who must have had at least ten years minimum teaching in the Dunkirk City School District."

A substantial monetary amount was gratefully accepted by Fiebelkorn.

In other matters, it was announced that the district has been awarded a Title I School Improvement Grant in the amount of $60,000 which "must be used to provide professional development opportunities for building and instructional leaders outside the normal contractual day."

Thirteen individuals will be paid $3,000 each to participate in seven specific "Saturday Academies" for students in order to meet the requirements of the grant.

Lastly, Superintendent Cerne said he wanted to remind the public that on Dec. 3, a referendum vote for taxpayers will take place for Phase IV, a renovation project at the high school intended to finish up exterior site work as well as some interior renovations inside the main building.

According to an article posted on the OBSERVER website in August, exterior work will cost roughly $2 million while interior work will be about $684,000. Design and construction contingencies will bring the total cost to $3.8 million.

In terms of other future construction projects, Cerne said there is a home for sale next to School 4.

He said, "It'd be nice to acquire. It'd be nice to extend the (school's) playground, maybe parking, too."

Lastly, a motion was passed for the board to meet early on the date of the next board of education meeting on Nov. 14. The board will meet at 5:30 to discuss regents scores, and the normal meeting will begin at 6:30 in the high school's large group discussion room.